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Aging elephant may have cancer, might still march in parade

Activists are outraged that Limba, Canada’s oldest elephant, may march in Bowmanville’s Santa Claus parade even though she may have cancer.

Robert Crawford, the elephant manager and trainer at the Bowmanville Zoo, tends to Limba the elephant in the Animatheatre at the zoo. Limba has been invited to participate in the Bowmanville Santa Claus Parade Nov. 16, but may not if it's decided she's not well enough.
(Ryan Pfeiffer / METROLAND)

“The elephant is clearly sick, is having abdominal problems, and has been having problems eating,” said Dan MacInally. “But if she’s in good spirits, they’re going to have her walk in the parade. It’s quite repulsive.”

Bowmanville Zoo owner Michael Hackenberger said Limba is in good health, and he will decide on Saturday morning if the elephant will participate in the annual festivities.

“If she’s bright and happy, you couldn’t keep her away,” he said.

Hackenberger said the grapefruit-sized growth on Limba’s left side will be monitored by veterinarians to see if it is getting larger. It is not yet known if it is cancerous.

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Limba’s participation in the Santa Claus parade is the latest flashpoint for activists who have been calling for the aging elephant to be moved from the private zoo to a sanctuary.

Hackenberger, who said he has worked with more than 100 elephants in his career, said the protesters are “armchair activists” who don’t have the expertise to know what’s best for Limba.

“We have 10 veterinarians involved with the health of this animal,” Hackenberger said.

MacInally said Limba, who is more than 50 years old, should be moved to a warmer climate, like the three elephants who travelled from the Toronto Zoo to a sanctuary in California this fall. The oldest of those elephants was 44.

“At what point is this elephant going to be allowed to retire? Is it going to work until it dies?” MacInally said.

Hackenberger said Limba’s advanced age is a testament to the quality of care she has received.

“The correct question is, why did she make over 50 years of age?” Hackenberger said. “Because she received the right diet, and most importantly for elephants, because she received an optimal level of physical activity and enrichment.”

Limba’s exercise includes walking through town several times a week. Hackenberger said the parade march is no different from her regular outings.

Parade organizers had asked the zoo to leave Limba at home after protesters planned to prevent the elephant from joining the parade with a human blockade, which has been called off.

“People seem to think that we were planning to block the parade,” said Michael Sizer, a filmmaker who focuses on social issues and animal rights. “The intention was to block Limba’s inclusion in the procession specifically.”

That protest was cancelled because Sizer said the controversial blockade might jeopardize other efforts to free Limba.

Another protest outside the Bowmanville Zoo is planned for Nov. 23.

“As much as they say the town loves her and her keepers love her – which I’m sure they do – I hope that they will take the opportunity now, if she is in this medical state, that they’re not going to make her do another Canadian winter,” said Nic Wilvert, who organized the upcoming protest.

“Let her be with elephants of her own kind, where she finally gets to do what she wants to do,” Wilvert said.

In response to the protests, thousands have rallied behind the local pachyderm.

“I’ve been to the parade for years, and you can see the smile and the amazement on the people’s faces, especially the children’s faces, when they see her come marching down the street,” said Marven Whidden, who created a Facebook page supporting Limba marching in the parade. The page has gained more than 2,100 supporters in less than two weeks.

Amid all the controversy, Hackenberger said he believes it is crucially important for people to have opportunities to personally interact with wild animals like elephants in zoos.

“Standing beside an elephant can teach you how to love,” he said. “We need elephants to remind us that we share a planet. We need elephants to remind us that we need to reach out and save them.”

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